4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Fear a Market Crash

Here’s why you shouldn’t be afraid of a market crash.

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Here are the four reasons why you shouldn’t fear a market crash:

1. The economy is getting better. During the market crash of 2008, we found most homes were overleveraged, there was uncertainty in the market, and discounts were causing some neighborhoods to lower too far in price. There were 541,000 foreclosures. Now, we only have 216,000 foreclosures nationally—this may sound like a lot, but foreclosures are unavoidable, and we’ve more than halved the number.

2. Most homeowners now have equity. During the crash, people were taking out enormous amounts of equity for refinancing. In 2000, we only had $26 billion worth of refinances, but the crash saw over $321 billion worth. As of the third quarter of 2018, we only have about $38 billion. People are being more wary of refinancing and banks are having stricter policies.

These factors have greatly lowered the chances of experiencing a market crash.

3. Lending standards have changed. Since the crash, banks and the government have put tighter restrictions on how lending is to be done. NINJA loans (no income, no job or assets) have been pretty much eliminated.

4. Affordability has improved. Between 1985 and 2000, the monthly mortgage payment percentage was at 21%. In 2006, it hit 25.4%. Now, it’s at 17.5%.

These factors have greatly lowered the chances of experiencing a market crash anytime in the near future. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Are Homeowners Still Using Their Equity as Their Own Personal ATM?

Fortunately for our economy, homeowners aren’t still using their equity as their own personal ATM.

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Are people still using the equity in their homes as their own personal ATM?

Back in 2006, the total amount of equity people were taking out of their home and using as a cash advance was $326 billion. Nowadays, though, the numbers show that people are more careful with how much equity they take out of their home and what they use that equity for.

This trend shows how much better our economy has gotten and why we won’t see a repeat of the 2007/2008 market crash.

Nationally, 48% of all homes have replenished 50% of their equity, and we currently only have about $70 billion that’s being used as cash refinancing. That’s a huge improvement—not only compared to 2006, but also compared to 2007 when the total was $240 billion.

Instead of purchasing RVs and paying for vacations, people are focusing on making home improvements. This trend shows how much better our economy has gotten and why we won’t see a repeat of the 2007/2008 market crash.

If you have any more questions about the state of our current market or you have any real estate needs I can help you with, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to speaking to you.

The Benefits of Buying a Condo in Southern California

Today we’ll cover a few pros and cons of purchasing a condo in Southern California.

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If you’re considering buying a condo, you should be aware of the pros and cons of doing so before you make your final decision.

One of the greatest benefits of buying a condo in Southern California is that it affords buyers the chance to live in locations where a single-family home would be astronomically expensive. A condo is a great alternative to a single-family home if you want to live within walking distance to certain amenities.

Another benefit of condo living is the security it provides. Condos are usually gated and include a parking structure, meaning residents have a level of protection not always available to people who live in single-family homes.

And speaking of practical benefits, living in a condo also means that many maintenance tasks are taken care of for you. Condo residents don’t need to worry about mowing their lawn or cleaning the pool. These things, as well as certain utilities, are covered under the monthly condo fee that residents pay. These fees, which are split up between all the building’s units, also gives residents access to various amenities. The fact that fees are split up could be viewed as a drawback, but only if you’re living in a condo with a low number of residents.

Condos are a great alternative to a single-family home if you want to live within walking distance to certain amenities.

But what about financing? The lending process for condo purchases has historically been a point of concern for buyers, but, recently, condo financing has been made much easier than in the past.

There are currently three main loan options for condos: conventional, FHA, and VA. Conventional and FHA loans both offer lower down payment options, but FHA loans do carry a higher level of restrictions. Even so, many of these restrictions have been made more lenient in the recent past. The best way to know which loan type is best for you is to discuss your individual circumstances with your lender.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to purchase a condo will depend heavily on your lifestyle and goals.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.